dossier

dossier, file

noun doh-SYEH Less Common

Origin: Borrowed from French dossier (bundle of papers with a label on the back).

Usage Note

Dossier is an invariable French loanword: il dossier, plural i dossier (unchanged). It refers to a compiled file of documents on a specific subject — common in journalism, politics, and bureaucratic language: aprire un dossier su qualcuno (to open a file on someone). The stress falls on the final syllable following French pronunciation.

Examples

"Il giornalista ha preparato un dossier."

Natural Translation

The journalist prepared a dossier.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Mi Piace vs Mi Piacciono: How to Say 'I Like'

Use mi piace for one thing and mi piacciono for many — because in Italian the thing you like is the subject. The full rule, pronouns, and past tense.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Hand Gestures: Meanings & When to Use

Italian hand gestures decoded: what the pinched fingers, cheek screw, and chin flick mean, which ones are safe to use, and the one gesture to never make.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Italian False Friends: 20 Words That Trick You

Italian false friends like preservativo, parenti, and caldo mean the opposite of what English speakers expect. Here are 20 ranked by how badly they bite.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Reflexive Verbs: Mi Chiamo, Mi Alzo & More

Italian reflexive verbs use mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si — learn the pronouns, conjugate chiamarsi and alzarsi, master your daily routine, and the modal-verb rule.

June 5, 2026 5 min read